Gaming device having concentric reels and a displayable nudge symbol

ABSTRACT

A gaming device including a plurality of reel sets where at least one of the reel sets includes an inner reel and an outer reel. The other reel sets include a plurality of symbols. Upon the activation of the reel sets, the inner reel displays a plurality of nudge symbols, which each identify a direction of movement of the outer reel. The outer reel includes a plurality of symbols and defines a viewable area. A processor causes the outer reel to indicate one of the symbols or the viewable area. If the viewable area is indicated, the processor moves the outer reel to indicate one of the symbols on the outer reel based on the direction of movement associated with the nudge symbol viewable through the viewable area. The processor provides an outcome to a player based on the symbols indicated on the reel sets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to a gaming device, and moreparticularly to a gaming device having concentric reels having at leastone nudge symbol.

Contemporary gaming devices such as slot machines often include aprimary game and one or more bonus rounds or bonus games. The primarygames typically include the generation of one or more symbols using oneor more symbol generators. The traditional symbol generators are a setof reels, where each reel has a plurality of symbols. If the playerachieves a predetermined combination of symbols on the reels, the playerwins a value. In addition, if the player achieves a bonus triggeringevent, the gaming device advances the player to a bonus game where theplayer can accumulate additional values. The traditional bonustriggering event occurs when the player achieves a predetermined symbolon one of the reels or a predetermined combination of symbols on aplurality of reels. If the combination of symbols indicated on the reelsis not a predetermined symbol or symbol combination, the gaming devicedoes not provide an award to the player.

Conventional gaming devices employ different symbols to form differentwinning symbol combinations in a game. Conventional gaming devices alsoemploy different symbols which perform a function in a game. One suchsymbol is a nudge symbol. A nudge symbol is typically included on one ormore reels of the gaming device. When a nudge symbol on a reel isindicated by a payline, the nudge symbol causes the reel (on which thenudge symbol is indicated) to move or rotate in the direction ofmovement indicated by the nudge symbol. For example, if the indicatednudge symbol indicates an upward or counterclockwise direction ofmovement, the reel moves or rotates in the upward or counterclockwisedirection. Typically, a nudge symbol causes a reel to move or rotate onesymbol position. The nudge symbol may also cause the reel to move orrotate for one or more symbol positions. The nudge symbol thereforecauses a reel to move or rotate in a particular direction to indicate adifferent symbol on the reel and change the symbol combination indicatedby the reels. After the movement of the reel caused by the nudge symbol,the indicated symbols are evaluated for any winning combinations.

As described above, when a nudge symbol is indicated on a reel or reels,the gaming device causes the reels to move in the direction of movementassociated with the indicated nudge symbol. In other known gamingdevices that employ one or more nudge symbols, the gaming devices enablethe player to initiate or activate the reel to move the outer reel inthe direction of movement associated with the indicated nudge symbol.For example, the gaming device may include a selector or button whichcauses the reel to move in the direction of movement associated with anindicated nudge symbol on the reel after the player presses or otherwiseactivates the selector or button.

Concentric reels are also known. A concentric reel includes an innerreel and an outer reel which are aligned on substantially the samerotational axis. The outer reel includes a plurality of symbols and atleast one window. The inner reel includes a plurality of symbols. In aplay of the game, the gaming device activates the concentric reels whichcauses the inner reel and the outer reel to move or rotate. When theinner and outer reel stop, one of the symbols of the outer reel or thewindow is indicated by a payline associated with the concentric reel. Ifthe window is present on the payline, the window indicates the symbol onthe inner reel on the payline. The indicated symbol on the inner reel ispart of the evaluated symbol combination with the other symbols of theother reels indicated by the payline. The gaming device provides anaward for any winning symbol combination associated with these symbolsindicated by the payline.

Players are attracted to gaming devices which provide new game schemesincluding different ways of obtaining winning symbol combinations ordifferent types of triggering events. Therefore, to increase playerenjoyment and excitement, it is desirable to provide players with newgame schemes for gaming devices which include new and different ways ofindicating symbol combinations and triggering events.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to a gaming device, and moreparticularly to a gaming device having concentric reels having at leastone viewable area or window and at least one nudge symbol where thenudge symbol causes one of the reels to move to change a symbolcombination in a game when the nudge symbol is viewable through theviewable area or window.

In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a plurality of reel setswhere at least one of the reel sets includes concentric reels orconcentrically arranged reels. The concentric reels include an innerreel which includes at least one nudge symbol and preferably a pluralityof nudge symbols and an outer reel which includes a plurality ofconventional symbols and defines a viewable area or window. The nudgesymbols on the inner reels each identify a direction of movement for theassociated outer reel. It should be appreciated that one, a plurality orall of the reels sets may include an inner reel and an outer reel andone, a plurality or all of said reel sets may employ one, or a pluralityof nudge symbols.

In a play of the game, the gaming device activates the reel sets toindicate symbol combinations on the outer reels of the reel sets. On atleast one of the reel sets, the gaming device causes the inner reel todisplay a nudge symbol and causes the outer reel to indicate one of thesymbols or the viewable area. If the viewable area is indicated and anudge symbol on the inner reel is indicated through the viewable area,the gaming device moves the outer reel to indicate one of the symbols onthat outer reel based on the direction of movement associated with thatnudge symbol viewable through the viewable area. For example, if thenudge symbol is an upwardly pointing arrow, the gaming device moves orrotates the outer reel upward one or more symbol positions or stops. Ifthe nudge symbol is an downwardly pointing arrow, the gaming devicemoves the outer reel downward one or more symbol positions or stops.After the outer reel moves and indicates one of the symbols, the gamingdevice provides an outcome to the player based on the symbols indicatedon the reel sets such as along a payline associated with the reel setsor in accordance with any scatter pays.

As described above, the present invention increases a player'sexcitement and enjoyment of a game because the player has a betteropportunity to obtain an outcome in the game and particularly, theopportunity to obtain a winning symbol combination in a game where theplayer did not initially receive a winning symbol combination in thegame.

In another embodiment, a plurality of paylines are associated with thereel sets in a conventional manner. The gaming device provides anoutcome such as an award to the player based on the symbols on thepaylines associated with the reel sets assuming the payer wagered onsuch paylines.

In a further embodiment, the inner reel includes one or a plurality ofnudge symbols and at least one or a plurality of conventional symbols.The symbol can be part of the indicated symbol combination when theviewable area is indicated and one of the symbols, other than one of thenudge symbols, is viewable through the viewable area.

In one embodiment, the gaming device or player activates the reel setsin a play of the game to indicate symbols on the reel sets. When a nudgesymbol is viewable through an indicated viewable area or window, thegaming device causes the outer reel to automatically move or rotate inthe direction of movement associated with the indicated nudge symbol.The gaming device then evaluates the symbol combination indicated onthat payline after the outer reel moves based on the nudge symbol. Inanother embodiment, the gaming device or player activates the reel setsto indicate symbols on the reel sets. When one or more nudge symbols arevisible through a viewable area or window as indicated on a payline, thegaming device evaluates the symbol combination indicated by that paylinebefore causing the outer reel to move or rotate in the direction ofmovement associated with the indicated nudge symbol. The gaming devicemay wait a designated period of time and then cause the outer reel tomove or rotate in the direction of movement associated with the nudgesymbol or enable the player to activate or cause the outer reel to moveor rotate. The gaming device then performs another evaluation after theouter reel moves or rotates to a designated symbol position to determineif the symbols indicated by the payline form a winning symbolcombination. It should be appreciated that the gaming device mayevaluate the symbols indicated by the reel sets any suitable number oftimes in a play of the game.

In one embodiment, one or more of the nudge symbols on the inner reelindicate a direction of movement for the outer reel which moves theouter reel one symbol position. In another embodiment, at least one ofthe nudge symbols indicates a direction of movement for the outer reelwhich moves the outer reel a plurality of symbol positions or stops. Forexample, the nudge symbol may cause the outer reel to move upward twosymbol positions or cause the outer reel to move downward three symbolpositions. It should be appreciated that one or more of the nudgesymbols may indicate a direction of movement for the outer reel whichmoves the outer reel in any suitable direction. It should also beappreciated that the nudge symbol may indicate a direction of movementof the outer reel and any suitable number of symbol positions which theouter reel will move. In one embodiment, the number of symbol positionsassociated with the direction of movement indicated by the nudge symbolis pre-determined. In one alternative embodiment, the number of symbolpositions associated with the direction of movement indicated by thenudge symbol is randomly determined.

In a further embodiment, one or more of the nudge symbols on the innerreel indicate a direction of movement for the outer reel which causesthe outer reel to move and indicate a symbol on the outer reel that canprovide a winning symbol combination or provides a symbol combinationwhich is closer to a winning symbol combination on the reel sets (i.e.,more symbols of the winning combination). In this embodiment, the gamingdevice is determining the best symbol position to move the outer reel toindicate a winning symbol combination or a symbol combination which iscloser to a winning symbol combination.

In another embodiment, the inner reel includes a plurality of symbolpositions where two nudge symbols are displayed at one of the symbolpositions. In this embodiment, the gaming device includes a selectorwhich enables a player to pick one of the nudge symbols when the twonudge symbols are viewable through the viewable area or window of theouter reel. The player can therefore pick the direction of movement ofthe outer reel to determine the movement direction of the outer reelwhich determines the outcome provided to the player. In a furtherembodiment, two or more nudge symbols are displayed at a plurality ofthe symbol positions. In an alternative embodiment, the gaming devicepicks the nudge symbol of the plurality of nudge symbols viewablethrough the viewable area which results in the best symbol combinationfor the player such as a winning symbol combination.

In a further embodiment, the nudge symbol causes the outer reel to moveor rotate to the closest win or closest winning symbol combination onthe reels. For example, if two bar symbols and a nudge symbol areindicated in a play of the game, the nudge symbol causes the outer reelto move or rotate to indicate the closest symbol to the indicatedviewable area or window which will provide a winning symbol combinationin that play of the game. For instance, of the outer reel includes a barsymbol which is one symbol position away from the viewable area orwindow and a double bar symbol which is four symbol positions away fromthe viewable area window, the nudge symbol causes the outer reel to moveto indicate the bar symbol which is closest to the indicated viewablearea window in that play of the game. Therefore, if the bar symbol iscloser than the double bar symbol (i.e., less symbol positions away fromthe indicated viewable area or window), then the gaming device willindicate the bar symbol by moving the outer reel to indicate the barsymbol.

In a further embodiment, when a nudge symbol is visible through anindicated viewable area, the nudge symbol causes the outer reel to moveto indicate a designated symbol or predetermined symbol on the reel. Forexample, if a cherry symbol is the designated symbol, the gaming devicecauses the reel to move to indicate the cherry symbol when the nudgesymbol is viewable through the indicated viewable area on the reel.

In another embodiment, the nudge symbol causes the outer reel to move toindicate a wild symbol on the outer reel. The wild symbol is combinedwith other symbols indicated by the reels to determine if the playerobtained a winning symbol combination in a play of a game. It should beappreciated that the nudge symbol may cause the gaming device to movethe outer reel to indicate a designated symbol, a randomly determinedsymbol, a wild symbol, or any other suitable symbol on the outer reel.

In another embodiment, the nudge symbol causes the outer reel to move toindicate a featured win or designated winning symbol combination on thereels when the nudge symbol is viewable through an indicated viewablearea. A featured win or designated symbol combination may be anysuitable symbol combination including the symbols on the outer reel.Additionally, the nudge symbol causes the outer reel to move to indicatea randomly determined winning symbol combination or win on the reels.For example, the gaming device randomly determines a winning symbolcombination to provide to the player and causes the outer reel to moveto indicate that winning symbol combination when the nudge symbol isviewable through the indicated viewable area.

It should be appreciated that the inner reel and outer reel may be anysuitable display, such as a video display, a mechanical reel, arotatable display or rotatable belt, or any other suitable video ormechanical display.

It should be appreciated that the nudge symbols may indicate anysuitable direction and may be employed with any suitable symbol displaybesides a reel which moves in one or more directions. It should also beappreciated that the present invention may be employed in a primary orbase game, a secondary or bonus game or in any suitable game.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a gamingdevice having at least one reel set including a concentrically arrangedinner reel and outer reel, wherein the inner reel has at least one nudgesymbol which causes the outer reel to move to change a symbolcombination in a game.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention aredescribed in, and will be apparent from, the following DetailedDescription of the Invention and the Figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of one embodiment of the gaming device ofthe present invention.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of another embodiment of the gaming deviceof the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a schematic block diagram of the electronic configuration ofone embodiment of the gaming device of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a schematic block diagram illustrating the plurality ofgaming terminals and communication with a central controller.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of one embodiment of areel set including concentric reels.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are enlarged elevation views illustrating an example ofa game employing at least one reel set including the concentric reels ofthe embodiment shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5A is an enlarged exploded perspective view of another embodimentof a reel set including concentric reels.

FIGS. 5B and 5C are enlarged elevation views of an example of a gameemploying a plurality of reel sets including concentric reels of theembodiment shown in FIG. 5A.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are enlarged elevation views illustrating an example ofa further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of another embodiment ofa reel set including concentric inner and outer reels where the outerreel includes at least one nudge symbol.

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a reelset including concentric inner and outer rotatable displays.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of areel set including an inner video display and an outer reel.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of areel set including an inner rotatable display and a plurality of outerreels positioned adjacent to the inner rotatable display.

FIG. 11A is a front perspective view of another alternative embodimentof a reel set including an inner reel and an outer reel which are ondifferent axes of rotation.

FIG. 11B a side view of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 11A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Gaming Device and Electronics

Referring now to the drawings, two alternative embodiments of the gamingdevice of the present invention are illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B asgaming device 10 a and gaming device 10 b, respectively. Gaming device10 a and/or gaming device 10 b are generally referred to herein asgaming device 10.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, gaming device 10has a support structure, housing or cabinet which provides support for aplurality of displays, inputs, controls and other features of aconventional gaming machine. It is configured so that a player canoperate it while standing or sitting. The gaming device may bepositioned on a base or stand or can be configured as a pub-styletable-top game (not shown) which a player can operate preferably whilesitting. As illustrated by the different configurations shown in FIGS.1A and 1B, the gaming device can be constructed with varying cabinet anddisplay configurations.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the gaming devicepreferably includes at least one processor 12, such as a microprocessor,a microcontroller-based platform, a suitable integrated circuit or oneor more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC's). The processoris in communication with or operable to access or to exchange signalswith at least one data storage or memory device 14. In one embodiment,the processor and the memory device reside within the cabinet of thegaming device. The memory device stores program code and instructions,executable by the processor, to control the gaming device. The memorydevice also stores other data such as image data, event data, playerinput data, random or pseudo-random number generators, pay-table data orinformation and applicable game rules that relate to the play of thegaming device. In one embodiment, the memory device includes randomaccess memory (RAM). In one embodiment, the memory device includes readonly memory (ROM). In one embodiment, the memory device includes flashmemory and/or EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read onlymemory). Any other suitable magnetic, optical and/or semiconductormemory may be implemented in conjunction with the gaming device of thepresent invention.

In one embodiment where the reels are in a video format, part or all ofthe program code and/or operating data described above can be stored ina detachable or removable memory device, including, but not limited to,a suitable cartridge, disk or CD ROM. A player can use such a removablememory device in a desktop, a laptop personal computer, a personaldigital assistant (PDA) or other computerized platform. The processorand memory device may be collectively referred to herein as a “computer”or “controller.”

In one embodiment, as discussed in more detail below, the gaming devicerandomly generates awards and/or other game outcomes based onprobability data. That is, each award or other game outcome isassociated with a probability and the gaming device generates the awardor other game outcome to be provided to the player based on theassociated probabilities. In this embodiment, since the gaming devicegenerates outcomes randomly or based upon a probability calculation,there is no certainty that the gaming device will ever provide theplayer with any specific award or other game outcome.

In another embodiment, as discussed in more detail below, the gamingdevice employs a predetermined or finite set or pool of awards or othergame outcomes. In this embodiment, as each award or other game outcomeis provided to the player, the gaming device removes the provided awardor other game outcome from the predetermined set or pool. Once removedfrom the set or pool, the specific provided award or other game outcomecannot be provided to the player again. This type of gaming deviceprovides players with all of the available awards or other game outcomesover the course of the play cycle and guarantees the amount of actualwins and losses.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the gaming device includesone or more display devices controlled by the processor. The displaydevices are preferably connected to or mounted to the cabinet of thegaming device. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1A includes a centraldisplay device 16 which displays a primary game. This display device mayalso display any secondary game associated with the primary game as wellas information relating to the primary or secondary game. Thealternative embodiment shown in FIG. 1B includes a central displaydevice 16 and an upper display device 18. The upper display device maydisplay the primary game, any suitable secondary game associated withthe primary game and/or information relating to the primary or secondarygame. As seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, in one embodiment, gaming deviceincludes a credit display 20 which displays a player's current number ofcredits, cash, account balance or the equivalent. In one embodiment,gaming device includes a bet display 22 which displays a player's amountwagered.

The display devices may include, without limitation, a monitor, atelevision display, a plasma display, a liquid crystal display (LCD) adisplay based on light emitting diodes (LED) or any other suitableelectronic device or display mechanism. In one embodiment, as describedin more detail below, the display device includes a touch-screen with anassociated touch-screen controller. The display devices may be of anysuitable configuration, such as a square, rectangle, elongatedrectangle.

The display devices of the gaming device are configured to display atleast one and preferably a plurality of game or other suitable images,symbols and indicia such as any visual representation or exhibition ofthe movement of objects such as mechanical, virtual or video reels andwheels, dynamic lighting, video images, images of people, characters,places, things and faces of cards, tournament advertisements and thelike.

In one alternative embodiment, the symbols, images and indicia displayedon or of the display device may be in mechanical form. That is, thedisplay device may include any electromechanical device, such as one ormore mechanical objects, such as one or more rotatable wheels, reels ordice, configured to display at least one and preferably a plurality ofgame or other suitable images, symbols or indicia.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A, in one embodiment, the gaming device includesat least one payment acceptor 24 in communication with the processor. Asseen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the payment acceptor may include a coin slot 26and a payment, note or bill acceptor 28, where the player inserts money,coins or tokens. The player can place coins in the coin slot or papermoney, ticket or voucher into the payment, note or bill acceptor. Inother embodiments, devices such as readers or validators for creditcards, debit cards or credit slips could be used for accepting payment.In one embodiment, a player may insert an identification card into acard reader of the gaming device. In one embodiment, the identificationcard is a smart card having a programmed microchip or a magnetic stripcoded with a player's identification, credit totals and other relevantinformation. In one embodiment, money may be transferred to a gamingdevice through electronic funds transfer. When a player funds the gamingdevice, the processor determines the amount of funds entered and thecorresponding amount is shown on the credit or other suitable display asdescribed above.

As seen in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2A, in one embodiment the gaming deviceincludes at least one and preferably a plurality of input devices 30 incommunication with the processor. The input devices can include anysuitable device which enables the player to produce an input signalwhich is read by the processor. In one embodiment, after appropriatefunding of the gaming device, the input device is a game activationdevice, such as a pull arm 32 or a play button 34 which is used by theplayer to start any primary game or sequence of events in the gamingdevice. The play button can be any suitable play activator such as a betone button, a max bet button or a repeat the bet button. In oneembodiment, upon appropriate funding, the gaming device begins the gameplay automatically. In another embodiment, upon the player engaging oneof the play buttons, the gaming device automatically activates gameplay.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, one input device is abet one button 36. The player places a bet by pushing the bet onebutton. The player can increase the bet by one credit each time theplayer pushes the bet one button. When the player pushes the bet onebutton, the number of credits shown in the credit display preferablydecreases by one, and the number of credits shown in the bet displaypreferably increases by one. In another embodiment, one input device isa bet max button (not shown) which enables the player to bet the maximumwager permitted for a game of the gaming device.

In one embodiment, one input device is a cash out button 38. The playermay push the cash out button and cash out to receive a cash payment orother suitable form of payment corresponding to the number of remainingcredits. In one embodiment, when the player cashes out, the playerreceives the coins or tokens in a coin payout tray 40. In oneembodiment, when the player cashes out, the player may receive otherpayout mechanisms such as tickets or credit slips redeemable by acashier or funding to the player's electronically recordableidentification card.

In one embodiment, as mentioned above and seen in FIG. 2A, one inputdevice is a touch-screen 42 coupled with a touch-screen controller 44,or some other touch-sensitive display overlay to allow for playerinteraction with the images on the display. The touch-screen and thetouch-screen controller are connected to a video controller 46. A playercan make decisions and input signals into the gaming device by touchingtouch-screen at the appropriate places.

The gaming device may further include a plurality of communication portsfor enabling communication of the processor with external peripherals,such as external video sources, expansion buses, game or other displays,an SCSI port or a key pad.

In one embodiment, as seen in FIG. 2A, the gaming device includes asound generating device controlled by one or more sounds cards 48 whichfunction in conjunction with the processor. In one embodiment, the soundgenerating device includes at least one and preferably a plurality ofspeakers 50 or other sound generating hardware and/or software forgenerating sounds, such as playing music for the primary and/orsecondary game or for other modes of the gaming device, such as anattract mode. In one embodiment, the gaming device provides dynamicsounds coupled with attractive multimedia images displayed on one ormore of the display devices to provide an audio-visual representation orto otherwise display full-motion video with sound to attract players tothe gaming device. During idle periods, the gaming device may display asequence of audio and/or visual attraction messages to attract potentialplayers to the gaming device. The videos may also be customized for orto provide any appropriate information.

In one embodiment, the gaming machine may include a player or othersensor, such as a camera in communication with the processor (andpossibly controlled by the processor) that is selectively positioned toacquire an image of a player actively using the gaming device and/or thesurrounding area of the gaming device. In one embodiment, the camera maybe configured to selectively acquire still or moving (e.g., video)images and may be configured to acquire the images in either an analog,digital or other suitable format. The display devices may be configuredto display the image acquired by the camera as well as display thevisible manifestation of the game in split screen or picture-in-picturefashion. For example, the camera may acquire an image of the player andthat image can be incorporated into the primary and/or secondary game asa game image, symbol or indicia.

Gaming device 10 can incorporate any suitable wagering primary or basegame. The gaming machine or device of the present invention may includesome or all of the features of conventional gaming machines or devices.The primary or base game may comprise any suitable reel-type game, cardgame, number game or other game of chance susceptible to representationin an electronic or electromechanical form which produces a randomoutcome based on probability data upon activation from a wager. That is,different primary wagering games, such as video poker games, videoblackjack games, video Keno, video bingo or any other suitable primaryor base game may be implemented into the present invention.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a base or primarygame may be a slot game with one or more paylines 52. The paylines maybe horizontal, vertical, circular, diagonal, angled or any combinationthereof. In this embodiment, the gaming device displays at least one andpreferably a plurality of reels 54, such as three to five reels 54 ineither electromechanical form with mechanical rotating reels or videoform with simulated reels and movement thereof. In one embodiment, anelectromechanical slot machine includes a plurality of adjacent,rotatable wheels which may be combined and operably coupled with anelectronic display of any suitable type. In another embodiment, if thereels 54 are in video form, the plurality of simulated video reels 54are displayed on one or more of the display devices as described above.Each reel 54 displays a plurality of indicia such as bells, hearts,fruits, numbers, letters, bars or other images which preferablycorrespond to a theme associated with the gaming device. In thisembodiment, the gaming device awards prizes when the reels of theprimary game stop spinning if specified types and/or configurations ofindicia or symbols occur on an active pay line or otherwise occur in awinning pattern.

In one embodiment, a base or primary game may be a keno game wherein thegaming device displays a plurality of selectable indicia or numbers onat least one of the display devices. In this embodiment, the playerselects at least one and preferable a plurality of the selectableindicia or numbers via an input device or via the touch screen. Thegaming device then displays a series of drawn numbers to determine anamount of matches, if any, between the player's selected numbers and thegaming device's drawn numbers. The player is provided an award based onthe amount of matches, if any, based on the amount of determinedmatches.

In one embodiment, in addition to winning credits in a base or primarygame, the gaming device may also give players the opportunity to wincredits in a bonus or secondary game or bonus or secondary round. Thebonus or secondary game enables the player to obtain a prize or payoutin addition to the prize or payout, if any, obtained from the base orprimary game. In general, a bonus or secondary game produces asignificantly higher level of player excitement than the base or primarygame because it provides a greater expectation of winning than the baseor primary game and is accompanied with more attractive or unusualfeatures than the base or primary game.

In one embodiment, the bonus or secondary game may be any type ofsuitable game, either similar to or completely different from the baseor primary game. In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a programwhich will automatically begin a bonus round when the player hasachieved a triggering event or qualifying condition in the base orprimary game. In one embodiment, the triggering event or qualifyingcondition may be a selected outcome in the primary game or a particulararrangement of one or more indicia on a display device in the primarygame, such as the number seven appearing on three adjacent reels along apayline in the primary slot game embodiment seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Inanother embodiment, the triggering event or qualifying condition may beby exceeding a certain amount of game play (number of games, number ofcredits, amount of time), reaching a specified number of points earnedduring game play or as a random award.

In one embodiment, once a player has qualified for a bonus game, theplayer may subsequently enhance his/her bonus game participation throughcontinued play on the base or primary game. Thus, for each bonusqualifying event, such as a bonus symbol, that the player obtains, agiven number of bonus game wagering points or credits may be accumulatedin a “bonus meter” programmed to accrue the bonus wagering credits orentries toward eventual participation in a bonus game. The occurrence ofmultiple such bonus qualifying events in the primary game may result inan arithmetic or geometric increase in the number of bonus wageringcredits awarded. In one embodiment, extra bonus wagering credits may beredeemed during the bonus game to extend play of the bonus game.

In one embodiment, no separate entry fee or buy in for a bonus game needbe employed. That is, a player may not purchase an entry into a bonusgame; he must win or earn entry through play of the primary game and,thus, play of the primary game is encouraged. In another embodiment,qualification of the bonus or secondary game could be accomplishedthrough a simple “buy in” by the player if, for example, the player hasbeen unsuccessful at qualifying through other specified activities.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, one or more of the gamingdevices 10 of the present invention may be connected to each otherthrough a data network or a remote communication link 58 with some orall of the functions of each gaming device provided at a centrallocation such as a central server or central controller 56. Morespecifically, the processor of each gaming device may be designed tofacilitate transmission of signals between the individual gaming deviceand the central server or controller.

In one embodiment, the game outcome provided to the player is determinedby a central server or controller and provided to the player at thegaming device of the present invention. In this embodiment, each of aplurality of such gaming devices are in communication with the centralserver or controller. Upon a player initiating game play at one of thegaming devices, the initiated gaming device communicates a game outcomerequest to the central server or controller.

In one embodiment, the central server or controller receives the gameoutcome request and randomly generates a game outcome for the primarygame based on probability data. In another embodiment, the centralserver or controller randomly generates a game outcome for the secondarygame based on probability data. In another embodiment, the centralserver or controller randomly generates a game outcome for both theprimary game and the secondary game based on probability data. In thisembodiment, the central server or controller is capable of storing andutilizing program code or other data similar to the processor and memorydevice of the gaming device.

In an alternative embodiment, the central server or controller maintainsone or more predetermined pools or sets of predetermined game outcomes.In this embodiment, the central server or controller receives the gameoutcome request and independently selects a predetermined game outcomefrom a set or pool of game outcomes. The central server or controllerflags or marks the selected game outcome as used. Once a game outcome isflagged as used, it is prevented from further selection from the set orpool and cannot be selected by the central controller or server uponanother wager. The provided game outcome can include a primary gameoutcome, a secondary game outcome, primary and secondary game outcomes,or a series of game outcomes such a free games.

The central server or controller communicates the generated or selectedgame outcome to the initiated gaming device. The gaming device receivesthe generated or selected game outcome and provides the game outcome tothe player. In an alternative embodiment, how the generated or selectedgame outcome is to be presented or displayed to the player, such as areel symbol combination of a slot machine or a hand of cards dealt in acard game, is also determined by the central server or controller andcommunicated to the initiated gaming device to be presented or displayedto the player. Central production or control can assist a gamingestablishment or other entity in maintaining appropriate records,controlling gaming, reducing and preventing cheating or electronic orother errors, reducing or eliminating win-loss volatility and the like.

In another embodiment, one or more of the gaming devices of the presentinvention are in communication with a central server or controller formonitoring purposes only. That is, each individual gaming devicerandomly generates the game outcomes to be provided to the player andthe central server or controller monitors the activities and eventsoccurring on the plurality of gaming devices. In one embodiment, thegaming network includes a real-time or on-line accounting and gaminginformation system operably coupled to the central server or controller.The accounting and gaming information system of this embodiment includesa player database for storing player profiles, a player tracking modulefor tracking players and a credit system for providing automated casinotransactions.

A plurality of the gaming devices of the present invention are capableof being connected together through a data network. In one embodiment,the data network is a local area network (LAN), in which one or more ofthe gaming devices are substantially proximate to each other and anon-site central server or controller as in, for example, a gamingestablishment or a portion of a gaming establishment. In anotherembodiment, the data network is a wide area network (WAN) in which oneor more of the gaming devices are in communication with at least oneoff-site central server or controller. In this embodiment, the pluralityof gaming devices may be located in a different part of the gamingestablishment or within a different gaming establishment than theoff-site central server or controller. Thus, the WAN may include anoff-site central server or controller and an off-site gaming devicelocated within gaming establishments in the same geographic area, suchas a city or state. The WAN gaming system of the present invention maybe substantially identical to the LAN gaming system described above,although the number of gaming devices in each system may vary relativeto each other.

In another embodiment, the data network is an internet or intranet. Inthis embodiment, the operation of the gaming device can be viewed at thegaming device with at least one internet browser. In this embodiment,operation of the gaming device and accumulation of credits may beaccomplished with only a connection to the central server or controller(the internet/intranet server) through a conventional phone or otherdata transmission line, digital signal line (DSL), T-1 line, coaxialcable, fiber optic cable, or other suitable connection. In thisembodiment, players may access an Internet game page from any locationwhere an internet connection and computer, or other internet facilitatorare available. The expansion in the number of computers and number andspeed of internet connections in recent years increases opportunitiesfor players to play from an ever-increasing number of remote sites. Itshould be appreciated that enhanced bandwidth of digital wirelesscommunications may render such technology suitable for some or allcommunications according to the present invention, particularly if suchcommunications are encrypted. Higher data transmission speeds may beuseful for enhancing the sophistication and response of the display andinteraction with the player.

In another embodiment, a plurality of gaming devices at one or moregaming sites may be networked to a central server in a progressiveconfiguration, as known in the art, wherein a portion of each wager toinitiate a base or primary game may be allocated to bonus or secondaryevent awards. In one embodiment, a host site computer is coupled to aplurality of the central servers at a variety of mutually remote gamingsites for providing a multi-site linked progressive automated gamingsystem. In one embodiment, a host site computer may serve gaming devicesdistributed throughout a number of properties at different geographicallocations including, for example, different locations within a city ordifferent cities within a state.

In one embodiment, the host site computer is maintained for the overalloperation and control of the system. In this embodiment, a host sitecomputer oversees the entire progressive gaming system and is the masterfor computing all progressive jackpots. All participating gaming sitesreport to, and receive information from, the host site computer. Eachcentral server computer is responsible for all data communicationbetween the gaming device hardware and software and the host sitecomputer.

Concentric Reels Including a Nudge Symbol

Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 3, in one embodiment, the presentinvention is directed to a gaming device including a plurality of symbolgenerators or reel sets 54 where at least one of the reel sets includesconcentric reels such as a nudge symbol display or inner reel 100 and aviewable area symbol display or outer reel 102. In this embodiment, thenudge symbol display or inner reel 100 includes at least one nudgesymbol and preferably a plurality of nudge symbols such as nudge symbols108 a, 108 b, 108 c, 108 d and 108 e shown in FIG. 3. Each nudge symbol108 of the inner reel 100 indicates a direction of movement for theouter reel 102. For example, if the viewable area displays the nudgesymbol 108 a, which indicates an upward direction (such as an arrowpointing upward), the processor moves the outer reel 102 in the upwarddirection by one symbol position. It should be appreciated that thenudge symbol may indicate any suitable direction of movement for movingthe outer reel 102 of the reel set by one or a plurality of symbolpositions.

In one embodiment, the symbol display or outer reel includes a pluralityof conventional symbols such as a cherry symbol 106 a, a bell symbol 106b, a seven symbol 106 c, a money bag symbol or money symbol 106 d, andan orange symbol 106 e, and at least one viewable area or window 104.The viewable area 104 enables a player to view one or more of thesymbols of the inner reel 100 through the outer reel 102. The viewablearea or window 104 is cut out or otherwise suitably defined by the outerreel 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the window 104 extendscompletely through the thickness or width of the outer reel 102, wherethe window 104 is open or uncovered. In another embodiment, asee-through material, such as glass or a clear plastic, is positioned inan opening in the outer reel and attached to the outer reel 102 to formthe window 104 and enable a player to see through the window 104. Itshould be appreciated that any suitable material may be used to form thewindow 104. It should also be appreciated that the window 104 may be anysuitable size or shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer reel102 includes one viewable area or window 104. In another embodiment, theouter reel 102 includes a plurality of the viewable areas or windows104.

In a play of a game, the processor causes the outer reel 102 to movebased on the direction associated with an indicated nudge symbol on theinner reel to indicate one of the symbols of the outer reel. In oneembodiment, the nudge symbol causes the outer reel to move one symbolposition. A symbol position is the location or position of a symbol orblank space (i.e., blank symbol) on the inner and outer reels. Inanother embodiment described in more detail below, the nudge symbolcauses the outer reel to move a plurality of symbol positions. Themovement of the outer reel 102 causes a different symbol combination tobe indicated by the reels sets. The gaming device provides a losingoutcome or a winning outcome (which results in an award) to a playerbased on the indicated symbol combination. It should be appreciated thatone of the reel sets, a plurality of the reel sets or all of the reelsets may include an inner reel and an outer reel according to the aboveembodiment.

As described above, the combination of the viewable area of the outerreel and the nudge symbol of the inner reel provides excitement andenjoyment for players because an initial non-winning symbol combinationcan become a winning symbol combination in a game. The gaming devicetherefore provides more opportunities for players to obtain awards in agame.

In one example of the above embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, theviewable area or window 104 is located in a symbol position betweensymbols 106 b and 106 c on the outer reel 102. Typically, the symbolposition or position between the symbols is a blank symbol or emptyspace. Therefore, in this embodiment, at least one of the blank symbolsor empty spaces between the symbols is replaced with the viewable areaor window 104. As described above, the viewable area or window 104enables a player to view or see one of the nudge symbols 108 displayedby the inner reel 100 as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

In this example, the nudge symbols 108 a, 108 b, 108 c, 108 d and 108 eindicate or display either upward or downward directions of movement forthe outer reel 102. The nudge symbols 108 are in the form of upwardpointing arrows and a plurality of downward pointing arrows to indicatethe direction of movement for the outer reel 102. It should beappreciated that the inner reel may include any suitable number ofupward or downward-pointing arrows. It should also be appreciated thatthe nudge symbols may be any suitable images, characters or othersymbols that indicate a direction of movement of the outer reel. In thisexample, the upward or upwardly pointing arrows such as nudge symbols108 a or 108 d cause the outer reel 102 to move upward when the viewablearea is indicated and one of the upwardly pointing arrows is visible orviewable through the viewable area or window 104. The downward ordownwardly pointing arrows or nudge symbols such as nudge symbols 108 b,108 c and 108 e cause the outer reel 102 to move downward when theviewable area is indicated and one of the downwardly pointing arrows isviewable through the indicated viewable area or window 104.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, an example of a gaming deviceemploying the embodiment of FIG. 3 is illustrated where the gamingdevice includes three reel sets 54 a, 54 b and 54 c, where the middlereel set 54 b includes at least one viewable area or window 104. Aplurality of paylines 52 a, 52 b and 52 c are associated with the reelsto indicate symbol combinations on the reels. In this example, thegaming device provides an outcome such as an award to a player when atleast three identical symbols 106 are indicated on one of the paylines52 a, 52 b or 52 c. An award display 110 indicates the award provided tothe player in a play of the game including the reel set.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the gaming device or player activates the reelsets 54 a, 54 b and 54 c. In one embodiment, the inner reel and theouter reel of each reel set move in the same direction. In anotherembodiment, the inner reel and the outer reel of each reel set move indifferent directions. It should be appreciated that the inner reels andouter reels of the reel sets may move in the same direction, differentdirections or in any suitable combination of directions. It shouldfurther be appreciated that inner and outer reels of the reel sets maymove at the same rate or at different rates.

In this example, the reel sets 54 a, 54 b and 54 c stop spinning andindicate symbols on paylines 52 a, 52 b and 52 c. Specifically, payline52 a indicates a seven symbol 106 f, a viewable area or window 104, andanother seven symbol 106 h. The indicated viewable area or window 104enables the player to view or see one of the nudge symbols on the innerreel. In this example, the nudge symbol 108 b viewable or visiblethrough the viewable area indicated on payline 52 a is a downwardlypointing arrow. As described above, the nudge symbol or downwardlypointing arrow 108 b causes the outer reel of reel set 54 b to movedownward one symbol position. It should also be appreciated that thenudge symbol may cause the outer reel to move any suitable number ofsymbols positions as further described below.

Referring to FIG. 4B, the gaming device causes the outer reel of reelset 54 b to move one symbol position. Therefore, reel set 54 b nowindicates a seven symbol on payline 52 a. Accordingly, payline 52 aindicates the seven symbol 106 f, a seven symbol 106 g and the sevensymbol 106 h or three seven symbols on payline 52 a. A symbolcombination including three seven symbols provides an award of fivehundred in this example. The award of five hundred is provided to theplayer as indicated by the award display 110. Thus, the combination ofthe window 104 and the nudge symbol 108 b enables the player to obtain awinning combination of symbols as shown in FIG. 4B where they originallydid not obtain a winning combination of symbols as indicated in FIG. 4A.

In another embodiment, the gaming device evaluate the symbols indicatedon payline 52A before moving the outer reel in the direction of movementassociated with the indicated nudge symbol. For example, in FIGS. 4A and4B, the gaming device or player activates the reel sets 54A, 54B and 54Cin a play of the game, as shown in FIG. 4A, after the reel sets stoprotating or spinning, payline 52A indicates the seven symbols 106 f, theviewable area or window 104 and another seven symbol 106 h. In thisembodiment, the gaming device then evaluates the symbol combinationindicated by payline 52A before moving the outer reel of reel set 54B inthe direction of movement associated with the viewable nudge symbol 108b. In one aspect of this embodiment, if one or two seven symbols providean award in the game, the gaming device provides the award associatedwith that winning symbol combination to the player. The gaming devicethen moves or rotates the outer reel of reel set 54B in the direction ofmovement of the indicated nudge symbol 108 b (i.e., downward) toindicate a different symbol combination on payline 52A. As describedabove and as shown in FIG. 4B, the outer reel set 54B moves downward onesymbol position to indicate a third seven symbol on payline 52A. Thegaming device evaluates this symbol combination, which is a winningsymbol combination, and provides another award to the player in thatplay of the game. It should be appreciated that the gaming device mayprovide one award, a plurality of awards, the largest award or anydesignated award for the symbol combinations indicated on the paylinesin the play of the game. It should also be appreciated that the gamingdevice may evaluate the symbols indicated by one or more of the paylinesassociated with the reel sets at any designated point in the game beforeor after a nudge symbol or nudge symbols are indicated on the reel sets.

In one embodiment, each nudge symbol indicates a direction of movementfor the outer reel which moves the outer reel one symbol position.Therefore, the nudge symbol causes the outer reel to move one symbolposition in the indicated direction. In another embodiment, the innerreel includes at least one nudge symbol which causes the outer reel tomove a designated number of symbol positions. Therefore, when theviewable area on the outer reels is indicated and the nudge symbol(including the designated number of symbol positions) is visible orviewable through the viewable area, the gaming device causes the outerreel to move the designated number of symbol positions in the directionof movement associated with the nudge symbol. For example, the nudgesymbol may cause the outer reel to move upward three symbol positions.It should be appreciated that the designated number of symbol positionsmay be one or a plurality of symbol positions. In a further embodiment,the nudge symbol causes the outer reel to move a random number of symbolpositions. It should be appreciated that the number of symbol positionsassociated with the nudge symbol may be randomly determined,predetermined or determined in any suitable manner. It should also beappreciated that the number of movements or symbol position moves may bedetermined separately from the determination of the nudge symbol.

In another embodiment, at least one of the nudge symbols includes adirection of movement which causes the outer reel to move any directionwhich will provide a winning symbol combination or move the outer reelor reels closer to a winning symbol combination in a play of a game. Forexample, if a nudge symbol is visible through an indicated viewablearea, the nudge symbol causes the outer reel to move any direction whichwould provide a winning symbol combination in the play of the game. Inanother embodiment, the nudge symbol causes the outer reel to move toindicate the best winning symbol combination in a play of the game. Forexample, the nudge symbol causes the outer reel to move to indicate thewinning symbol combination which provides the largest award to theplayer. In a further embodiment, the gaming device moves an outer reelto the best or optimum symbol position of the outer reel when theviewable area is indicated and a nudge symbol is visible through theviewable area on that outer reel. The gaming device therefore providesthe player with the best or optimum symbol combination on the reel setswhen the nudge symbol is viewable through the viewable area and theviewable area is indicated on that reel set. For example, three reelsets are activated in a game. Two of the reel sets each indicate a barsymbol. The third reel set indicates a viewable area where a nudgesymbol is viewable through that viewable area. The gaming device causesthe outer reel of the third reel set to move to a symbol positionincluding a bar symbol to provide a winning symbol combination includingthree bar symbols in that player of the game. It should be appreciatedthat the nudge symbol may include a direction of movement which causesthe outer reel to move to indicate a winning symbol combination, abetter winning symbol combination, a losing symbol combination or anysuitable symbol combination on the reel sets.

Referring now to FIG. 5A, another embodiment of the present invention isillustrated where the gaming device includes a plurality of reel sets 54where each of the reel sets includes an inner reel 200 and an outer reel202 which are concentrically arranged reels. In this embodiment, atleast one of the reel sets includes an outer reel 202 having a first orleft window 204 a which is positioned on the left side of the outer reel202 (as a player views the outer reel) and a second or right window 204b which is positioned on the right side of the outer reel 202 (as aplayer views the outer reel). The left window 204 a and the right window204 b are sized to each display at least one symbol of the inner reel200. It should be appreciated that the outer reel 202 may define orinclude any suitable number of the left windows 204 a and/or the rightwindows 204 b. It should also be appreciated that the left window 204 aand the right window 204 b may be any suitable size and shape to displayone or more of the symbols on the inner reel 200. In this embodiment,the outer reel includes a plurality of conventional symbols 206 asdescribed above in addition to the left window 204 a and the rightwindow 204 b. The inner reel 200 of the reel set includes one symbolsuch as the downward pointing arrow 208 b or a plurality of nudgesymbols such as the upward and downward pointing arrows 208 a at eachsymbol position on the inner reel 200. It should be appreciated that thepair of nudge symbols 208 a may include oppositely pointing arrows, orarrows pointing in the same direction. The direction indicated by thenudge symbols may be randomly determined or pre-determined in a game.

Additionally, the inner reel 200 includes at least one downwardlypointing arrow 208 b which is positioned on the left side or the rightside of the inner reel 200. The inner reel 200 also includes at leastone nudge symbol in the shape of an upwardly pointing arrow 208 c whichmay be positioned on the left side or the right side of the inner reel200. It should be appreciated that the inner reel 200 may include one ora plurality of pairs of nudge symbols 208 a, left nudge symbols 208 band/or right nudge symbols 208 c. It should be appreciated that the eachnudge symbol in the pairs of nudge symbols 208 a, the left nudge symbols208 b and/or the right nudge symbols 208 c may be any suitable size orshape.

In this embodiment, the symbol positions between the symbols 206 mayinclude a blank symbol or blank space 203 or a viewable area or windowsuch as the left window 204 a or the right window 204 b. If the leftwindow 204 a or the right window 204 b is indicated on the reel sets,the left window 204 a or the right window 204 b display or indicate oneof the nudge symbols on inner reel 200, such as one of the nudge symbolsin the pair of the nudge symbols 208 a, the left nudge symbol 208 b orthe right nudge symbol 208 c. The nudge symbol which is indicated by orviewable through the left or right windows therefore depends on theposition of the windows on the outer reel.

The viewable area or window 204 a may also display or indicate a blanksymbol or empty space 207, depending on the position of the window 204and the position of the nudge symbols on the inner reel 200. Therefore,the viewable areas or windows 204 a or 204 b may indicate a blank symbol207, a nudge symbol in the shape of a downwardly pointing arrow, such asthe downwardly pointing arrow in the pair of nudge symbols 208 a or thedownwardly pointing arrow 208 b. One of the viewable areas may alsoindicate an upwardly pointing arrow such as the upwardly pointing arrowin the pair of nudge symbols 208 a or the upwardly pointing arrow 208 c.Any subsequent movement or rotation of the outer reel 202 after theinitial activation of the reel sets is therefore dependent on thepositioning of the windows 204 a and 204 b and also on the positioningof the nudge symbols on inner reel 200. The different positions of theviewable areas further increases the excitement and enjoyment of thegame by the player.

Referring to FIGS. 5B and 5C, an example of the embodiment of FIG. 5A isillustrated where the gaming device includes a plurality of reels 54 a,54 b and 54 c. Each of the reels 54 a, 54 b and 54 c includes an innerreel and an outer reel as described above, where the outer reel includesat least one left window such as the left window 204 e or the leftwindow 204 c and at least one right window such as the right window 204d on reel 54 a. The viewable areas or windows 204 c, 204 d and 204 eindicate or display blank symbols or blank spaces, or a nudge symbolsuch as the nudge symbol 208 d or 208 e. The total award display 210indicates the total award accumulated by the player in the game.

In a play of the game, the gaming device or player activates or spinsthe reel sets 54 a, 54 b and 54 c to indicate symbols and/or windowssuch as windows 204 c, 204 d and 204 e on the reel sets. After the reelsets stop, none of the paylines 52 a, 52 b and 52 c indicate winningsymbol combinations (i.e., symbol combinations including three or moreof the same symbols). Payline 52 a, however, indicates a right window204 d, a cherry symbol 206 b and a left window 204 c. The right window204 d displays a nudge symbol in the form of an upwardly pointing arrow208 e. The window 204 c displays a nudge symbol in the form of adownwardly pointing arrow 208 d. Therefore, the upwardly pointing arrowor nudge symbol 208 e causes reel set 54 a (i.e., the outer reel of reelset 54 a) to move upward one symbol position. Similarly, the downwardlypointing arrow 208 d causes reel set 54 c to move downward one symbolposition.

Referring to FIG. 5C, after the outer reel of reel set 54 a moves upwardone symbol position based on nudge symbol 208 e, cherry symbol 206 a isnow indicated on payline 52 a. Similarly, after the outer reel of reelset 54 c moves downward one symbol position based on nudge symbol 208 d,cherry symbol 206 c is now indicated on payline 52 a. After the movementof the outer reels of reel sets 54 a and 54 b, payline 52 a indicatesthe cherry symbol 206 a, the cherry symbol 206 b, and the cherry symbol206 c. A symbol combination including three cherry symbols is a winningsymbol combination and provides an award of one hundred to the player.The gaming device transfers the award of one hundred to the player asindicated by the total award display 210. Accordingly, the combinationof the windows 204 c and 204 d, and the nudge symbols 208 d and 208 evisible through those windows, enables the player to obtain a winningsymbol combination on the reel sets where the player initially did notobtain a winning symbol combination after the initial spin of the reelsets.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, another embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated where the gaming device includes a plurality ofreels 54 a, 54 b and 54 c each having an inner reel and an outer reelsimilar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, where the outer reel of oneof the reel sets includes at least one viewable area or window 304 awhich is sized to display one or a plurality of the nudge symbols 308 ofthe inner reel. For example in FIG. 6A, the viewable areas or windows304 a and 304 b are sized to display two nudge symbols of the innerreel. For example, window 304 a displays the nudge symbols 308 a and 308b which are in the form of an upwardly pointing arrow and a downwardlypointing arrow, respectively. In this embodiment, the inner reel mayinclude a pair of nudge symbols such as the pair of the nudge symbols308 a and 308 b or a single nudge symbol such as nudge symbol 308 cdisplayed by window 304 b. When one nudge symbol is in a particularsymbol position on the inner reel, the nudge symbol causes the reel set54 associated with the nudge symbol to move in the direction indicatedby that symbol. If the window 304 a indicates a pair of nudge symbols,such as nudge symbols 308 a and 308 b, the gaming device enables theplayer to choose which nudge symbol the player wishes to employ in thatplay of the game. In this player selection embodiment, the gaming deviceincludes two selectors such as the left arrow button 312 and the rightarrow button 314. Alternatively, the gaming device automatically selectsone of the nudge symbols when the pair of nudge symbols is indicated ona payline. In one such embodiment, the gaming device will choose themovement that will provide the best outcome for the player. In anotherembodiment, this is randomly determined.

In one embodiment, the left arrow input or selector 312 causes thegaming device to activate the left positioned nudge symbol or arrow suchas nudge symbol 308 a in the game. The right input or selector 314enables the player to activate the right arrow or right nudge symbolsuch as nudge symbol 308 b in the play of the game. If the plurality ofwindows 304 on the reel sets all indicate pairs of nudge symbols such asnudge symbols 308 a and 308 b, the gaming device automatically activatesor employs the same nudge symbol in each pair such as the right nudgesymbol when the player presses the corresponding input or selector 312or 314. In another embodiment, the gaming device highlights or otherwiseindicates each of the windows 304 separately and enables a player toactivate one of the nudge symbols in each of the pairs of nudge symbolsdisplayed by the windows in the play of the game. In this example, onlywindow 304 a indicates or displays a pair of nudge symbols 308 a and 308b.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the player presses or activates the right input orbutton 314 to activate the right nudge symbol or right positioned arrow308 b of the pair of nudge symbols displayed by window 304 a. The gamingdevice then causes the movement of the outer reel of reel set 54 adownward one symbol position. Because window 304 b does not display apair of nudge symbols, the gaming device automatically causes the outerreel of reel set 54 c to move upward based on the upwardly pointingarrow 308 c visible or viewable through window 304 b. In thisembodiment, the gaming device enables the player to pick which one ofthe nudge symbols 308 a or 308 b the player wishes to activate in thisplay of the game. This adds a further element of strategy and decisionmaking for the player which increases the player's excitement andenjoyment with the game.

Referring to FIG. 6B, the gaming device causes the movement of the outerreels of reel sets 54 a and 54 c based on the direction of movementidentified by the nudge symbol indicated on that reel or the nudgesymbol activated by the player. After the outer reels of reel sets 54 aand 54 c move, the seven symbol 306 a, the seven symbol 306 b and theseven symbol 306 c are indicated by payline 52 a. A symbol combinationincluding three seven symbols is a winning symbol combination in thegame and the gaming device provides the player with an award of fivehundred. The award of five hundred is provided to the player asindicated by the total award display 310.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, if the player chose the upwardly pointingarrow or nudge symbol 308 a instead of the downwardly pointing arrow 308b, money bag symbol 306 d would have been indicated on payline 52 a. Themoney bag symbol symbol does not provide a winning symbol combination onpayline 52 a. Therefore, this embodiment causes the player to thinkabout which nudge symbol the player wishes to activate to provide theplayer with an award or to increase the player's award depending on thesymbols indicated by the reels.

In one embodiment, the gaming device enables the player to pick andactivate one of the nudge symbols displayed by the window 304 when aplurality of nudge symbols are displayed or indicated by the window. Inanother embodiment the gaming device randomly picks one of the nudgesymbols and the plurality of nudge symbols displayed by the window 304to activate that nudge symbol in that play of the game. It should beappreciated that the gaming device may enable the player to pick, or thegaming device may randomly pick the nudge symbols displayed by thewindows.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a further embodiment of the present inventionis illustrated where at least one of the reels includes an inner reel400 and an outer reel 402 which are concentrically arranged reels. Inthis embodiment, the inner reel 400 includes or generates a plurality ofnudge symbols where one or more nudge symbols may be displayed orgenerated at a single symbol position on the inner reel. For example,the inner reel 400 may include a pair of nudge symbols 410 at a singlesymbol position or a single nudge symbol 412 at that symbol position. Itshould be appreciated that the nudge symbols may be any suitable size orshape and may cause the outer reel 402 to move upwardly, downwardly orin any combination of upward or downward movements. The outer reel 402includes a plurality of conventional symbols 406, at least one viewablearea or window 404 and at least one nudge symbol 408. The nudge symbol408 may be any suitable size or shape and may indicate any suitabledirections such as an upward or downward directions. By including anudge symbol on the outer reel 402, the gaming device providesadditional opportunities to obtain a winning symbol combination on thereels. It should be appreciated that the outer reel may include one or aplurality of nudge symbols.

Referring now to FIG. 8, another embodiment of the present invention isindicated where the inner and outer reels of a reel set including theconcentric reels are rotatable displays or belts which are positionedadjacent to each other. In this embodiment, the inner reel or rotatabledisplay 500 includes a belt 504 which moves or rotates about a pluralityof rollers 506 a, 506 b, 506 c and 506 d. The rollers or axles arerotatably connected to the cabinet of the gaming device and provideenough resistance or friction to the inside of the belt to hold the beltin place while moving the belt in a clockwise or counterclockwisedirection. At least one of the rollers or axles 506 is a drive rollerconnected to a suitable motor or other actuator which rotates or movesthe drive roller to correspondingly move or rotate the belt 504. Thebelt 504 may be made of any suitable material and includes one or morenudge symbols such as nudge symbols 508 a, 508 b, 508 c, 508 d and 508e. The outer reel or rotatable display 502 includes a movable surface orbelt 510, which moves or rotates about rollers 512 a, 512 b, 512 c and512 d. At least one of the rollers 512 is a drive roller which isconnected to the same or a different motor as the inner rotatabledisplay 500. The motor causes the drive roller to move or rotate andcorrespondingly move or rotate the belt 510. The outer rotatable displayor belt includes at least one viewable area or window 514 which enablesa player to view the outer surface of the inner rotatable display 500.Specifically, the viewable area window 514 enables a player to view oneor more of the nudge symbols 508 on the inner rotatable display 500.Additionally, the outer rotatable display includes a plurality ofsymbols such as symbols 516 a, 516 b, 516 c, 516 d, 516 e, 516 f, 516 g,516 h, 516 i and 516 j. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the outer rotatabledisplay 502 is positioned adjacent to the inner rotatable display 500such that at least a portion of the belt 510 of the outer rotatabledisplay overlaps the belt 504 of the inner rotatable display 500. Thecombination of the outer rotatable display 502 and the inner rotatabledisplay 500 forms a reel set 54. It should be appreciated that a gamingdevice may include one or more of the reel sets 54 illustrated in FIG.8.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a further embodiment of the present inventionis illustrated where the present invention includes an inner displaysuch as a video display 600 and an outer reel 602. The combination ofthe inner display 600 and the outer reel 602 form a reel set 54.Specifically, the inner display 600 is a video display which ispositioned adjacent to the outer reel 602. The inner display or videodisplay 600 includes a video screen or display 604 which displays one ormore nudge symbols, such as a pair of nudge symbols 606 a at a symbolposition or single nudge symbols 606 b or 606 c in a play of the game.The outer reel 602 rotates about the inner display or inner videodisplay 600. The outer reel includes or defines at least one viewablearea or window 610 which enables a player to view one or more of thenudge symbols 606 of inner display 600. The outer reel also includes oneor more symbols such as symbols 612 a, 612 b, 612 c and 612 d. It shouldbe appreciated that at least one, a plurality or each of the reel setsin a game may include the concentric displays including the inner videodisplay 600 and the outer display or reel 602.

Referring now to FIG. 10, another embodiment of the present invention isillustrated where the gaming device includes a plurality of reel setswhich are movably connected to a cabinet of the gaming device and eachinclude an outer reel such as outer reel 702 a, 702 b and 702 c and atleast one inner display or inner rotatable display 700. In thisembodiment, the inner rotatable display 700 includes a movable surfaceor belt 704 which moves or rotates about rollers or axles 706 a and 706b. At least one of the rollers or axles 706 a and 706 b is a driveroller connected to a suitable motor or other actuator which moves orrotates the drive roller and correspondingly moves or rotates the belt704. The drive roller may move the belt 704 in any suitable directionsuch as a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. In this embodiment,the belt 704 includes a plurality of nudge symbols, such as nudgesymbols 708 a, 708 b, 708 c, 708 d and 708 e. The inner rotatabledisplay 700 rotates or moves the belt 704 so that the nudge symbols 708are adjacent to and moving behind each of the outer reels 702 a, 702 band 702 c. The outer reels 702 a, 702 b and 702 c each include at leastone viewable area or window such as viewable areas or windows 710 a and710 b and a plurality of symbols. For example, outer reel 702 a includessymbols 712 a, 712 b and 712 c. Outer reel 702 b includes symbols 712 d,712 e and 712 f. Outer reel 702 c includes symbols 712 g, 712 h, 712 iand 712 j. In a play of the game, when one or more of the viewable areasor windows are indicated on a payline, the gaming device causes theouter reel to move in the direction of movement associated with anynudge symbol viewable through one or more of the viewable areas orwindows.

Referring now to FIGS. 11A and 11B, a further embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated where the concentric reels in one or more reelsets each include an inner reel 800 and an outer reel 802 which arepositioned on different axes of rotation such as an axis of rotation 803a associated with inner reel 800 and an axis of rotation 803 bassociated with outer reel 802. In this embodiment, the inner reel is arelatively smaller reel including a plurality of nudge symbols 804 a,804 b and 804 c. The inner reel 800 in this embodiment displays lessnudge symbols than the nudge symbols displayed by the inner reel 100shown in FIG. 3. Therefore, one or more of the relatively small innerreels 800 may be positioned adjacent to the inside surface of the outerreel 802. The outer reel 802 includes at least one viewable area orwindow 806 which enables a player to view or see through the viewablearea window to see symbols on the inner reel 800. The outer reel alsoincludes a plurality of symbols such as symbols 808 a, 808 b, 808 c and808 d. The combination of the inner reel 800 and the outer reel 802 forma reel set 54.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention andwithout diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intendedthat such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

1. A gaming device controlled by a processor, said gaming devicecomprising: an inner reel including at least one nudge symbol, wherein adirection of movement is associated with each nudge symbol; and an outerreel including a plurality of symbols and at least one viewable area,wherein the viewable area is positionable to enable a player to viewthrough the viewable area said at least one nudge symbol of the innerreel, and wherein the processor is operable to cause the inner reel tomove to indicate said nudge symbol, cause the outer reel to move andindicate one of the symbols or the viewable area, move the outer reelbased on the direction of movement associated with the nudge symbol whenthe viewable area is indicated on the outer reel and provide an outcometo a player based in part on the symbol indicated by the outer reel. 2.The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the inner reel includes at leastone symbol, wherein the processor provides an outcome to the player whenthe viewable area is indicated on the outer reel and the symbol isviewable through the viewable area.
 3. The gaming device of claim 1,wherein the inner reel includes a plurality of symbol positions, each ofthe symbol positions including one of the nudge symbols.
 4. The gamingdevice of claim 1, wherein the inner reel includes a plurality of symbolpositions, at least one of the symbol positions including a plurality ofthe nudge symbols.
 5. The gaming device of claim 4, which includes aselector, said selector adapted to enable the player to select one ofthe plurality of nudge symbols at said symbol position when theplurality of nudge symbols are viewable through the viewable area. 6.The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the inner reel includes aplurality of symbol positions, a plurality of the symbol positionsincluding a plurality of the nudge symbols.
 7. The gaming device ofclaim 6, which includes a selector, said selector adapted to enable theplayer to select one of the plurality of nudge symbols at one of theplurality of symbol positions when the plurality of nudge symbols atsaid symbol position are viewable through the viewable area.
 8. Thegaming device of claim 1, wherein the outer reel includes at least onenudge symbol.
 9. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein at least one ofthe inner and outer reels includes a mechanical reel.
 10. The gamingdevice of claim 1, wherein the inner reel includes a video reel.
 11. Thegaming device of claim 1, which includes at least one payline associatedwith the outer reel.
 12. The gaming device of claim 11, wherein theoutcome is based on the symbol of the outer reel indicated by thepayline.
 13. The gaming device of claim 1, which includes a plurality ofpaylines associated with the outer reel.
 14. The gaming device of claim13, wherein the outcome is based on the symbol of the outer reelindicated by one of the paylines.
 15. The gaming device of claim 1,which includes a plurality of reel sets, wherein at least one of saidsets includes the inner reel and the outer reel.
 16. The gaming deviceof claim 1, which includes a plurality of reel sets, wherein a pluralityof said reel sets include the inner reel and the outer reel.
 17. Thegaming device of claim 1, which includes a plurality of reel sets,wherein each of said reel sets include the inner reel and the outerreel.
 18. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the processor isoperable to move the outer reel a designated number of symbol positionswhen the viewable area is indicated and one of the nudge symbols isviewable through the viewable area.
 19. The gaming device of claim 1,wherein the processor is operable to move the outer reel a random numberof symbol positions when the viewable area is indicated and one of thenudge symbols is viewable through the viewable area.
 20. The gamingdevice of claim 1, wherein the processor is operable to move the outerreel at least one symbol position when the viewable area is indicatedand one of the nudge symbols is viewable through the viewable area. 21.The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the processor is operable to movethe outer reel for a plurality of symbol positions when the viewablearea is indicated and one of the nudge symbols is viewable through theviewable area.
 22. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the processoris operable to move the outer reel to an optimum symbol position whenthe viewable area is indicated and one of the nudge symbols is viewablethrough the viewable area.
 23. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein theprocessor is operable to move the outer reel to indicate a winningsymbol combination on the reel sets when the viewable area is indicatedand one of the nudge symbols is viewable through the viewable area. 24.A gaming device comprising: a game operable upon a wager by a player; acabinet; a housing connected to the cabinet; a symbol display connectedto said housing, said symbol display including a plurality of firstsymbols, said first symbols including at least one nudge symbol; asymbol indicator connected to said housing, said symbol indicatoroverlapping at least a portion of the symbol display, said symbolindicator including a plurality of second symbols and defining at leastone viewable area, wherein the symbol indicator is positionable toenable a player to view through the viewable area at least one of thefirst symbols displayed by the symbol display, and wherein each nudgesymbol identifies a direction to move the symbol indicator; and aprocessor operable to cause the symbol display to generate a pluralityof the first symbols, cause the symbol indicator to move to indicate atleast one of the second symbols and the viewable area, move the symbolindicator in a direction identified by the nudge symbol viewable throughthe viewable area when the nudge symbol is viewable through theindicated viewable area and provide any outcome to the player, whereinthe outcome is based on the second symbol indicated by the symbolindicator.
 25. The gaming device of claim 24, wherein said first symbolsinclude a plurality of nudge symbols.
 25. The gaming device of claim 24,wherein the symbol display includes a plurality of symbol positions. 26.The gaming device of claim 25, wherein the symbol display includes atleast two different nudge symbols at a single symbol position.
 27. Thegaming device of claim 26, which includes a selector, said selectoradapted to enable the player to select one of the nudge symbols when thenudge symbols are viewable through the viewable area of the symboldisplay.
 28. The gaming device of claim 24, wherein the symbol displayincludes at least one reel.
 29. The gaming device of claim 24, whichincludes at least one payline associated with the symbol indicator. 30.The gaming device of claim 29, wherein the outcome is based on thesecond symbol and any first symbols indicated by the payline associatedwith the symbol indicator.
 31. The gaming device of claim 24, whichincludes a plurality of paylines associated with the symbol indicator.32. The gaming device of claim 31, wherein the outcome is based on thesecond symbol indicated by at least one of the paylines associated withthe symbol indicator.
 33. The gaming device of claim 24, wherein thesecond symbols include at least one nudge symbol.
 34. The gaming deviceof claim 24, which includes a plurality of the symbol displays and aplurality of the symbol indicators connected to the housing, whereineach of the symbol indicators overlap at least a portion of a differentone of the symbol displays.
 34. The gaming device of claim 24, whereinthe symbol display includes at least one reel.
 35. The gaming device ofclaim 24, wherein the symbol display includes a plurality of reels. 36.A gaming device controlled by a processor comprising: a game operableupon a wager by a player; a cabinet; a housing connected to the cabinet;and a plurality of reel sets rotatably connected to the housing, saidreel sets each including an inner reel and an outer reel, wherein ineach of said reel sets, the inner reel and the outer reel are alignedalong substantially the same axis of rotation, the outer reel overlapsat least a portion of the inner reel, the inner reel includes aplurality of nudge symbols and the outer reel includes a plurality ofsymbols and defines at least one viewable area, wherein in each of saidreel sets, the outer reel is positionable to enable a player to viewthrough the viewable area at least one of the nudge symbols of the innerreel, and wherein each nudge symbol identifies a direction to move atleast one of the outer reels; wherein the processor is operable toactivate the reel sets, cause each of the inner reels to generate thenudge symbols in each of the reel sets, cause each of the outer reels tomove to indicate one of the symbols or the viewable area in each of thereel sets, move the outer reel in the direction identified by the nudgesymbol viewable through the viewable area when one of the nudge symbolsis viewable through the indicated viewable area and provide an outcometo the player based on the symbols indicated by the reel sets.
 37. Thegaming device of claim 36, wherein the inner reel of each of the reelsets includes a plurality of symbol positions.
 38. The gaming device ofclaim 37, wherein at least one of the symbol positions on one of thereel sets includes a plurality of different nudge symbols.
 39. Thegaming device of claim 38, which includes a selector, said selectoradapted to enable the player to select one of the different nudgesymbols when the different nudge symbols are viewable through theviewable area.
 40. The gaming device of claim 36, which includes atleast one payline associated with the reel sets.
 41. The gaming deviceof claim 40, wherein the outcome is based on any symbols indicated bythe payline associated with the reel sets.
 42. The gaming device ofclaim 36, which includes a plurality of paylines associated with thereel sets.
 43. The gaming device of claim 42, wherein the outcome isbased on any symbols indicated by any one of the paylines associatedwith the reel sets.
 44. The gaming device of claim 36, wherein at leastone of the outer reels includes a nudge symbol.
 45. A method foroperating a gaming device, said method comprising: (a) displaying atleast one reel set including an inner reel and an outer reel, said innerreel including at least one nudge symbol, said outer reel including aplurality of symbols and defining at least one viewable area, whereineach nudge symbol identifies a direction of movement; (b) activatingsaid reel set; (c) causing the inner reel of said reel set to indicateor not to indicate the nudge symbol; (d) moving the outer reel toindicate one of the symbols or the viewable area; (e) moving the outerreel to indicate one of the symbols based on the direction of movementidentified by the nudge symbol viewable through the viewable area whenthe nudge symbol is viewable through the indicated viewable area; and(f) providing an outcome to the player, wherein the outcome is based onthe symbols indicated on the reel sets.
 46. The gaming device of claim45, wherein the inner reel includes a plurality of nudge symbols. 47.The gaming device of claim 45 which includes moving the inner reel uponthe activation of the reel sets.
 48. The method of claim 45, whichincludes moving the inner reel and the outer reel simultaneously. 49.The method of claim 45, which includes moving the inner reel and theouter reel sequentially.
 50. The method of claim 45, which includesmoving the inner reel and the outer reel at a same rate of rotation. 51.The method of claim 45, which includes moving the inner reel and theouter reel at different rates of rotation.
 52. The method of claim 45,which includes moving the inner reel and the outer reel in the samedirection.
 53. The method of claim 45, which includes moving the innerreel and the outer reel in different directions.
 54. The method of claim45, which includes displaying at least two nudge symbols at one symbolposition on the inner reel.
 55. The method of claim 54, which includesenabling the player to pick one of the nudge symbols using a selectorwhen the viewable area is indicated and the two nudge symbols areviewable through the viewable area.
 56. The method of claim 45, whichincludes displaying at least two nudge symbols at a plurality of symbolpositions on the inner reel.
 57. The method of claim 56, which includesenabling the player to pick one of the nudge symbols using a selectorwhen the viewable area is indicated and the two nudge symbols in one ofthe symbol positions are viewable through the viewable area.
 58. Themethod of claim 45, which includes associating at least one paylineassociated with the reel sets.
 59. The method of claim 58, whereinproviding the outcome includes providing the outcome based on the awardsymbols indicated by the payline.
 60. The method of claim 45, whichincludes associating a plurality of paylines with the reel sets.
 61. Themethod of claim 60, wherein providing the outcome includes providing theoutcome based on the symbols indicated by at least one of the paylines.62. The method of claim 45, which includes displaying a plurality ofreel sets each including the inner reel and the outer reel, whereinsteps (c) to (e) are repeated for each of the reel sets.
 63. The methodof claim 45, wherein moving the outer reel to indicate one of thesymbols based on the direction of movement identified by the nudgesymbol viewable through the viewable area when the viewable area isindicated includes moving the outer reel for a designated number ofsymbol positions.
 64. The method of claim 45, wherein moving the outerreel to indicate one of the symbols based on the direction of movementidentified by the nudge symbol viewable through the viewable area whenthe viewable area is indicated includes moving the outer reel for arandom number of symbol positions.
 65. The method of claim 45, whereinmoving the outer reel to indicate one of the symbols based on thedirection of movement identified by the nudge symbol viewable throughthe viewable area when the viewable area is indicated includes movingthe outer reel one symbol position.
 66. The method of claim 45, whereinmoving the outer reel to indicate one of the symbols based on thedirection of movement identified by the nudge symbol viewable throughthe viewable area when the viewable area is indicated includes movingthe outer reel for a plurality of symbol positions.
 67. The method ofclaim 45, wherein moving the outer reel to indicate one of the symbolsbased on the direction of movement identified by the nudge symbolviewable through the viewable area when the viewable area is indicatedincludes moving the outer reel to an optimum symbol position.
 68. Themethod of claim 45, wherein moving the outer reel to indicate one of thesymbols based on the direction of movement identified by the nudgesymbol viewable through the viewable area when the viewable area isindicated includes moving the outer reel to a symbol position whichindicates a winning symbol combination on the reel sets.
 69. The methodof claim 45, which includes operating the gaming device through a datanetwork.
 70. The method of claim 69, wherein the data network is aninternet.